Gut Bacteria Fuel Tumor Immune Escape in Esophageal Cancer
Monday, July 21, 2025 - 07:54
in Health & Medicine
A growing body of research is revealing the hidden influence of microbes on cancer. Recently, researchers have identified Fusobacterium nucleatum as a key player in shaping the immune environment in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). By integrating data from microbiome, metabolome, and transcriptome analyses, the study shows that the bacterium and an associated metabolite phenyllactic acid (PLA) promote the expression of CLEC12A, an immune receptor that encourages immune-suppressive macrophages. This dual microbial and molecular mechanism may contribute to treatment resistance in some ESCC patients, offering a potential explanation for the uneven response to immunotherapy and a new target for future interventions.